- Knitting and Crocheting
- DIY and Home Improvement
- Reading
- Personal Development and Self-Improvement
Leza Bredenkamp
Springfield,NSW
Summary
Professional mental health clinician with strong nursing and social work backgrounds to provide compassionate care and support to individuals with mental health, substance misuse and disabilities.
Expertise in individual and group therapy facilitation.
Skilled in developing individualized care plans, implementing therapeutic strategies, and ensuring client safety and well-being. Strong focus on team collaboration, effective communication, and adapting to changing needs.
Reliable and results-driven, with commitment to enhancing clients' quality of life through empathetic and respectful care.
Currently enrolled in a graduate diploma in mental health and neuroscience to enhance my current skills and develop my understanding of the brain, responses to treatment and new research in the area of mental health
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Disability Support Worker
Hire Up
01.2025 - Current
- Assisted clients with daily living tasks, promoting independence and dignity in their home environment.
- Implemented individualized activity plans to engage clients in meaningful and stimulating exercises.
- Facilitated communication between clients and family members to ensure continuity of care.
- Provided emotional support and companionship to clients, fostering a sense of belonging and security.
- Supported clients in participating in community activities, enhancing their social engagement and well-being.
- Delivered exceptional personal care services, including bathing, dressing, grooming, and feeding assistance.
- Provided emotional support to clients during challenging times, fostering resilience and coping skills.
- Developed strong interpersonal relationships with clients, earning their trust and respect through consistent empathy and understanding.
- Enhanced quality of life for clients with physical and intellectual disabilities through compassionate care and assistance.
- Kept accurate records for client files and handled related paperwork.
Senior Social worker/Counsellor – Child Protection Counselling Service
Central Coast Local Health District
01.2021 - 01.2021
- Collaborate and consult with Department of Communities and Justice with regard to suitable referrals
- Provide assessment of counseling needs for children, adolescents, parents and families as a whole
- Provide evidence based treatments for children and young people who have experienced violence, abuse and neglect.
- Assess barriers in families being able to offer a safe nurturing home environment for children and young people and provide evidence based treatment options with regard to addressing identified barriers.
- Provide parenting skills training, support and group facilitation.
- Collaborate with Child protection, mental health, Domestic violence, drug and alcohol and education services to offer holistic treatment to vulnerable families
- Offer case management support for vulnerable families
- Support families to achieve environmental and internal safety after experiences of violence, abuse and Neglect.
Senior Social Worker- rotating positions within the Violence Abuse and Neglect Sector
Central Coast local health District
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Provide intake, assessment and treatment planning for individuals who have experienced sexual trauma.
- Provide evidence based therapeutic interventions for children, adolescents and adults who have experienced recent or historical sexual trauma.
- Collaborating with other CCLHD services and external agencies towards supporting the mental, physical and legal wellbeing of clients.
- Provide clinical supervision for junior social workers
- Provide written reports to Victim Services to support claims for counselling and compensation for clients who have experienced sexual trauma.
- Completing file audits in line with Chapter 16A, providing relevant health information for Statutory Child Protection agencies.
- Providing written reports in line with Chapter 16A providing health information to Statutory Child Protection Agencies
- Consultation and liaison between health care professionals and Child Protection Agencies in the best interests of the child and families wellbeing.
AOD health clinician/Senior Social Worker- Whole Family Team
Central Coast Local Health District
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Provide evidence based therapeutic interventions for parents where substance use and/or Mental health difficulties impact their parenting.
- Case management and interagency collaboration
- Trauma informed psycho-education for families
- Assessment and case management support for families where Domestic violence is present
- Child Health and screening with appropriate referrals where necessary.
AOD Case Manager and Counselor
Kamira AOD Services
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Facilitation of psycho-educational and process groups focusing on Substance use recovery, emotional regulation, trauma recovery, relationships and communication, domestic violence
- Case management of clients including linking with housing, community supports, Department of Communities and Justice
- Advocacy and support in relation to child protection matters
- Trauma Focused Individual counseling
Child and Family Support Worker
Kamira AOD services
01.2016 - 01.2016
- Unstructured observations of parent - child interactions
- Situational support for mothers
- Case management and interagency collaboration
- Situational and structured parenting skill development
- Facilitation of Circle of Security groups
Case Worker
Phoenix Rising For Children
01.2015 - 01.2015
- Case management for children in Out of Home Care
- Facilitating Case Conferences and Care plan formulation
- Resourcing therapeutic and supportive interventions for children and their carers
- Supervising Birth family contact with their children
- Writing objective and succinct case notes and reports
- Carer support and trauma informed psychoeducation
- Carer recruitment and screening.
Registered Mental Health Nurse
01.2003 - 01.2013
- Mental Health Nursing care, assessment and care planning
- Unit administration
- Leading and training of junior Nursing Staff
- Supportive counseling and psycho-education for clients and their families
- Facilitating Multidisciplinary team communication
- Facilitation of social skills groups for children
- Supporting learning for children in the classroom environment
- Facilitating Parenting support groups.
Education
Graduate Diploma - Mental health and Neuroscience
University of Sunshine Coast
01.2025
Master of Social Work - professional Qualifying
Southern Cross University
01.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Post graduate degree in psychological Counselling
University of South Africa
01.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Undergraduate degree in Psychological Counselling
University of South Africa
01.2009
Diploma in Nursing - General, community, Psychiatry and Midwifery
Western Cape College of Nursing
01.2003
Skills
- Case management expertise
- Proficient in child protection principles
- Skilled in group facilitation
- Data-driven therapeutic approaches
- Trauma recovery support
- Mental health and substance use education
- Collaborative project management
- Strong communication skills
- Experienced in producing concise documentation based on audience needs
- Experience in team mentoring and supervision
Interests
Certificates
- Theory and practical TMS technician training
- An Introduction to the Socio-emotional Assessment of children. 2022
- Black Box Parenting group Facilitators course- 2019
- Safe and Together training and action research participation - 2018
- Motivational Interviewing -2018
- Nurturing Attachments Workshop - 2018
- Dialectical behaviour Therapy Workshop -2017
- Circle of Security Facilitators training- 2016
- Play therapy - Beginners and Advanced course - 2007
Timeline
Disability Support Worker
Hire Up
01.2025 - Current
Senior Social worker/Counsellor – Child Protection Counselling Service
Central Coast Local Health District
01.2021 - 01.2021
Senior Social Worker- rotating positions within the Violence Abuse and Neglect Sector
Central Coast local health District
01.2020 - 01.2021
AOD health clinician/Senior Social Worker- Whole Family Team
Central Coast Local Health District
01.2019 - 01.2020
AOD Case Manager and Counselor
Kamira AOD Services
01.2016 - 01.2019
Child and Family Support Worker
Kamira AOD services
01.2016 - 01.2016
Case Worker
Phoenix Rising For Children
01.2015 - 01.2015
Registered Mental Health Nurse
01.2003 - 01.2013
Master of Social Work - professional Qualifying
Southern Cross University
Bachelor of Arts - Post graduate degree in psychological Counselling
University of South Africa
Bachelor of Arts - Undergraduate degree in Psychological Counselling
University of South Africa
Diploma in Nursing - General, community, Psychiatry and Midwifery
Western Cape College of Nursing
Graduate Diploma - Mental health and Neuroscience
University of Sunshine Coast